James Crumbley, the father of the teenager responsible for a deadly shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in a trial that concluded Thursday, marking a significant development in the legal aftermath of the tragic incident.

The verdict, delivered more than two years after the shooting that claimed the lives of four students and left several others injured, carries a weighty maximum punishment of up to 15 years in prison for each count. Crumbley was found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, mirroring the charges previously faced by his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, who was convicted of the same charges last month.

As the judge announced Crumbley's sentencing date for April 9th, emotions ran high in the courtroom. Crumbley, shackled and escorted out after the verdict, faced tearful family members of the victims, who found solace in the legal outcome.

Prosecutors argued that Crumbley was culpable due to his "gross negligence," emphasizing his role in purchasing the firearm used by his son, Ethan Crumbley, just days before the attack. They pointed to his failure to secure the weapon, neglecting signs of his son's deteriorating mental health, and disregarding foreseeable dangers.

"James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and what he didn’t do," remarked Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Karen McDonald during closing arguments.

In response, Crumbley's defense contended that the prosecution's case lacked substantial evidence, characterizing it as based on "assumptions and hindsight." They maintained that Crumbley had no knowledge of his son's intentions and argued against holding him responsible for the tragic events.

The case against James and Jennifer Crumbley marks a notable shift in legal scrutiny, challenging the boundaries of parental responsibility in cases of mass shootings. By holding the parents directly accountable for the deaths, prosecutors have pushed the envelope of liability in such incidents.

Jennifer Crumbley's guilty verdict, delivered last month, marked the first instance of a school shooter's parent being held directly responsible for the killings. Her sentencing, alongside her husband's, underscores the judicial response to preventable tragedies and seeks to bring closure to the families affected by the devastating loss.

As the legal proceedings continue, the verdicts against the Crumbleys serve as a stark reminder of the profound impact of gun violence and the complexities surrounding accountability in such cases.

Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com